A CANNABIS farm with a potential drug street sale value of more than £100,000 has been discovered by police.

Three people have been arrested following the find in the basement of a house in Serenity Hollow, Boosbeck.

Concerned residents had contacted local Police Community Support Officer Paul Payne, reporting strange smells in the area of the house.

At about 9am on Friday November 11 the house was raided and Redcar & Cleveland District Drugs Unit discovered a large commercial cannabis farm containing over 500 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £107,000 - though officers believe there was potential for far greater financial returns in this criminal enterprise.

The plants have been sent for analysis and specialist growing equipment including lights, heaters and fans were seized and destroyed.

Inspector Charlie Bell said: “We are delighted that this East Cleveland community came to their local PCSO, Paul Payne, secure in the knowledge that their concerns would be listened to and acted upon.

“This was a substantial cannabis farm, expertly set up and we are pleased to have removed drugs which would have been destined for the towns and villages of East Cleveland if not further afield.

“I would like to thank those members of the public who came forward with information and to reassure all residents that any concerns regarding drug dealing or any other crime will be dealt with swiftly and efficiently.”

Two men aged 57 and 46 and a 32-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of production of cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis.